TAUNTON - When Deb White first started noticing she was showing signs of Parkinson’s disease she ignored it.

“Once I was diagnosed I asked how can I stop the progression,” White said.

And now she has a different strategy. She does not sit around, succumbing to the cruel disease but instead she fights back- well actually, she boxes.

Rock Steady Boxing, an exercise program for people with Parkinson’s disease, is fighting back against the disease and has been brought to the Striking Beauties boxing and fitness studio in Taunton.

The class, which is an hour long each Saturday, has stretching, jump-roping, push-ups, balancing, running, individual exercises based on the clients’ needs and of course non-contact boxing.

“Boxing works you head to toe,” said Mary Wilkinson the owner of Striking Beauties, 294 Winthrop St. “It simulates your brain and gives you power. It makes you feel empowered and strong.”

The program, which began in Indianapolis seven years ago, has been spreading across the U.S. and even the world and began in Taunton about five weeks ago.

“The class takes place each Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon,” Wilkinson said. “So far the people in the class said since starting the class that they feel better and stronger.”

And sure enough, come Saturday morning people were at the class ready to conquer the day.

White, a Bridgewater resident, got down in a plank position ready to begin her push-ups.

“With things like push-ups not only does it build their upper body strength but it also helps them with everyday challenges,” Wilkinson said. “For example if they trip sometimes they can not get up. Push-ups will help them be able to push themselves up if they fall.”

“Each person has different things they work on,” said George Yawo, the instructor of the class. “For one it is upper body strength for another it may be balance.”

A second client is not doing push-ups but instead she sits on a large wooden cube and then slowly and steadily stands up, before slowly going back down to the seated position and then repeating the process.

“That exercise will help with balance,” Wilkinson said. “It will build muscle and again help with everyday things that they may struggle with such as getting up from the couch.”

“Instead of being so structured George knows what each person is capable of and creates different workouts for them based on their abilities” Wilkinson said.

But of course the class isn’t just strength training. There is also the part the clients look forward to the most, boxing.

White climbed up into the ring, with her boxing gloves firmly placed on her hands. She set her feet up one in front of the other with a gap in between.

Yawo stood across from her with punching mitts on his hands.

White raised her fists and focused as Yawo directed her when to hit and where to strike first.

“One, two,” shouted Yawo and as he shouted each number Deb struck the punching mitts, at first a little shakey and off balance but with encouragement she found her balance and struck harder. “One, two, three, four! Now you count.”

“One, two,” said White in a soft voice.

“Louder,” shouted Yawo. White’s voice began to ring through the gym and she began to punch with more force.

“People with Parkinson’s can have trouble with their vocal chords,” Wilkinson said. “By having them count out loud it helps with breathing and also forces them to use their voice.”

White punches, ducks and shuffles her feet before she pauses to take a brief break.

“I always look forward to this,” White said taking a sip of water. “It is my number one thing I enjoy doing on Saturday.”

White said she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about three years ago, but it hasn’t stopped her from taking part in multiple workout classes each week.

“I don’t attend group meetings, I feel like I would just be sitting around and complaining,” Wilkinson said. “Instead I do a lot of cardio and body strengthening, which can help stop the progression (of the disease).”

White said since she has been active she has seen her strength improve and has been able to conquer some challenges that people with Parkinson’s face such as balance and even finds that her mind is sharper.

“I love boxing,” said White who started it only a few weeks ago. “I plan on joining more boxing classes.”

“Right now we have some clients but I really hope to see it keep growing,” Wilkinson said. “I would also like to add more classes for people with Parkinson’s such as yoga or Tai Chi.”

Wilkinson looked at her clients who had just completed their workout and were finishing off by high-fiving each other as smiles spread across their faces

“It is amazing how everyone here really encourages each other. They are able to motivate and inspire each other,” Wilkinson said. “And they love it, absolutely love it.

For more info on the Rock Steady Boxing program or Striking Beauties visit www.rocksteadyboxing.org or www.strikingbeauties.com.

“Life is all about fighting,” Yawo said. “We fight for our relationships, we fight to keep our jobs and these guys fight everyday and boxing is one of the best ways to fight back.”

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